When Ron Redamm and I formed the Stroke Survivors Advocacy Group of Canada in 2020 I did not believe the powerhouse of people I would meet who have the same passion for the rights of stroke survivors as I have.
An important aspect of stroke is the detailed research happening all over the world. Ron Reddam, our co-chair, searches out every research project across Canada, all needing lived experience volunteers. I swear our membership spends half of our lives planning, collaborating, and participating in research projects!
Mike Dewing, a project manager by trade, has built and maintained our online media. Now that we are officially registered as a national non profit organization he is our bean counter too. Not two years ago he created the Cariboo Brain Injury Association to bring together the stroke survivors in person in his neck of the woods in Northern BC. He has the most infectious smile I have ever seen.
Linda Kirwin, living way up in Northern Ontario, has taken on Canada's north to enable all stroke survivors to have access to reliable communications, Now that we are registered, she is search out in every nook and cranny for funding to support our efforts across the nation.
After much convincing Pam Spence joined SSAGC to apply her endless set of advocacy skills learned in Ontario to the national political arena. Through her tireless efforts we are bringing together all players; medical, political, and charities, to make the Best Practices collated by Heart & Stroke into law across the land.
I don't know where I would be without the organizational skills Jim McEwen brings to our team. Jim has recorded every meeting including all the knowledge and experience our many speakers have shared with us. Having had all of his savings eaten up in his rehabilitation, he never holds back in getting the rights of stroke survivors at the forefront of every public official in Ontario. Daily I get from Jim media clips from across Canada of what organizations and politicians are saying and actually doing! Be sure to check out our blog.
Now John Richmond…where do I start? He is the glue that brings us together to keep us true to our vision. Returning to full time work after his stroke and having homes in BC and Ontario, his political perspective straddles the country. Due to his single-handed efforts we are now a registered national non profit organization so open your pockets…lol.
Doug Mitchell hangs his hat in London, Ontario. I have never attended a Zoom stroke survivor that he wasn't there. He is the creator of Stroke Survivor 2.0, now just a part of our vocabulary. He like the rest of our is always ready to say YESS.
And now for some of the people who support us outside of the Board.
Susan McAlpine, coordinator of Delta Stroke Recovery, has made me welcomed and loved since I joined them three years ago. I look fine to the rest of the world, but she is one of the few of the nonstroke people who knows I am not. Recognizing that, she is always there to help me along the way, no matter when or where.
Bill Gasiamis, an Australian stroke survivor, is on a personal mission to record people's journeys. from around the world. We talk online regularly. I am #520 (give or take) of his interviewees. Go to
Celina Caesar-Chavannes, a former MP in the Canadian Federal government, who, realizing she could not enact change for the rights of people with disabilities within the government, left government and has stepped up to work with us.
I have the pleasure of watching and learning from all these amazing people who truly understand the life long journey all stroke survivors must face. There are so many more people across Canada who have rolled up their sleeves for the, believe it or not, 430 000 survivors across our land.
Bruce Young
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